2022 Group Award: The Aqua Mission Team
The Aqua Mission Team was honored for its significant contributions to scientific studies of the Earth over two decades and related applications of the Aqua satellite observations . Since its launch more than two decades ago, the Aqua mission has delivered observations essential to improving our understanding of global dynamics and processes occurring on the land and cryosphere, the oceans, and the atmosphere. Furthermore, the Aqua mission has addressed topics of national priority such as weather forecasting, homeland security and defense, and natural resource management. The astonishing performance of the Aqua satellite is attributed to the well-designed and operated Aqua mission, and the collective efforts by the instrument and science teams. Aqua is one of the most highly successful Earth observing satellites ever to have orbited our planet. The mission’s free and open data policy has enabled a variety of application areas that generate societal value and support decision-makers. Aqua Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data products have been integrated operationally by many agencies, groups, and the public to meet their specific needs, including for the tracking of Sargassum macroalgae, red tides, and water-quality events. Furthermore, the MODIS instrument onboard the Aqua satellite has enabled water-quality data services to citizens of more than 60 countries worldwide. As the Aqua satellite celebrates its 20th year in space, its contributions continue to advance our knowledge of Earth’s systems for the benefit of humanity.